Dinner

Creamy Cajun Prawn Orzo Recipe

ByEthan Lark January 3, 2026January 3, 2026

Introduction

This creamy Cajun prawn orzo is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender king prawns with a smoky spice blend and vibrant baby spinach. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s rich, satisfying, and ready in under 30 minutes.

A black pan filled with a creamy orzo dish featuring shrimp and wilted spinach, where the orzo is light golden brown and the shrimp are a warm orange color with some specks of black pepper on top, mixed with bright green spinach leaves scattered evenly throughout; the pan rests on a white marbled textured surface, next to a large silver spoon on the right and a white plate with a red floral pattern edge partially visible on the bottom left, along with a pink cloth nearby, and a clear glass of water faintly tinted pink above the spoon. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

150g orzo
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tbsp tomato purée
150g raw peeled king prawns
2 tbsp half-fat crème fraîche
200g baby spinach
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp dried oregano or thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic granules
Pinch of turmeric

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the orzo according to the package instructions. Drain well, reserving a cup of the cooking water for later.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together smoked paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, dried oregano or thyme, black pepper, garlic granules, and turmeric to create the Cajun spice blend. Set aside.
Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a large, ovenproof pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and fry until soft and lightly browned.
Step 4: Add the sliced garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Step 5: Stir in the tomato purée, prawns, and the prepared Cajun spice blend. Cook for about 1 minute, allowing the prawns to start cooking.
Step 6: Add the baby spinach along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until the spinach wilts and the prawns turn opaque.
Step 7: If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved orzo cooking water to loosen it.
Step 8: Add the drained orzo and the crème fraîche to the pan, stirring well to combine. Adjust the consistency with more pasta water if needed.
Step 9: Serve straightaway while warm and creamy.

Tips & Variations

For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Cajun spice mix.
Swap king prawns for chicken or firm tofu for a different protein option.
Use full-fat crème fraîche for a richer, creamier texture.
If you don’t have orzo, small pasta shapes like ditalini or acini di pepe work well too.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

A close-up of a black pan filled with a creamy dish showing three main layers: the bottom layer is light brown sauce, the middle layer is a mix of golden-yellow orzo pasta and bright green sautéed spinach, and the top layer has several orange shrimp scattered evenly with some black pepper sprinkled on top. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface, next to a shiny silver metal spoon, a clear pink glass, a white plate with red patterns at the edge, and a folded pink cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can cook the orzo and make the spice blend ahead, but it’s best to combine and cook the prawns and spinach just before serving to keep the prawns tender and fresh.